Metallic fence-post



(No Model.)

H. A. HARRINGTON. METALLIC FENCE POST.

No. 473,925. Paten ted May 3, 1892.

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LII-6'60 r11 egal lh ikmin NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM A. HARRINGTON, OF ANOKA, MINNESOTA.

METALLIC FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,925, dated May 3, 1892. Application filed September 28, 1891. Serial No. 407.011. (No model.)

T0 to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM A. HARRINGTON, of Anoka, in the county of Anoka and State of Minnesota, have invented a certain Improved Metallic Fence-Post, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metallic fence-postsg and its object is to provide a hollow sheetinetal fence-post and means for firmly and durably securing the same in the ground and against all tensions which may be brought to bear upon the same.

To this end my invention consists in a taperin g metallic fence-post of sheet metal provided with a cap closing the upper end and secured together by internal cross-ties and a fork secured in the ground by slanting metallic pegs and having a shank threaded to engage said cross-ties, whereby the post is held against vertical movement; in hooks having shanks extending through the post and secured therein by burr-nuts, said hooks serving to fasten the wires on the posts at the various required heights, and in specially-constructed braces secured in the ground by means similar to the above fork and metallic pins or pegs, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section of one of my posts, the section being taken on the axial linethereof. Fig. 2 is a similar section taken on a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line a: 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a another view of the fork and fasteningpins. Fig. 6 is a vertical elevation of a cor ner-post standing, showing the position of the wires on the same. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. 7

As shown in the drawings, the post proper consists of sheet metal cut and rolled tapering. The lapping edges 2 and 3 of the post are fastened together economically by the cross-stays 4 and 5, occupying positions transverse to one another and having feet 6, secured to the inside of the post by suitable stove-bolts 7. In addition to these the lap is secured by the hooked bolts 8, the shanks of which extend diametrically through the posts.

The top of the post is closed by the sheetmetal cap 9, giving the post a finished and neat appearance. Each of the cross-bars 4 5 is provided with a central opening, that of the first being threaded to receive the threaded end 10 of the fork-shank 11, while the other cross-bar 5 is provided with a simple smooth hole of. the size of the shank at that point. At the ground-line the shank divides into two prongs 12 and 13, adapted to be driven down firmly into the ground. The cross-piece 14 is preferably straight, and, as seen, the prongs are separated a distance about equal to the diameter of the lower end of the metallic post. The prongs and the shank are kept upright by the pins or pegs 15 and 16, having the hooked ends 17 and driven in from opposite directions. The hooked end, as shown in Fig. 7c 5,embraces the horizontal part 14 of the fork, and is prevented from becoming detached therefrom by the pin 18, driven through holes provided therein.

The fence-wires 19 are secured upon the posts by the hooks 20 of the bolts 8, which have short ends adapted to enter small holes 21, provided in the sheet-iron post, as shown in Fig. 2. The other ends of the bolts are threaded, as shown, to receive the nuts 22 and are long enough so that the hook may be pushed out to receive the wire, as shown at the top of Fig. 2. In this way the wires are absolutely locked on the posts, the hooks being prevented from turning by their fastening at two points. For all points except the corners these posts are usually strong enough to stand all strain usually placed upon a fence, and at the corners I stay and brace the posts by rods 24, having their upper ends secured 0 to the posts by the clamped collars 25 (shown in Figs. 6 and 7) and their lower ends secured by the forks or staples 27, which are in turn securely fastened by pegs 28, corresponding to pegs 15 and 16 and fastening it in the same way.

In practice the fork having the shank 11 is first driven into the ground and then secured by driving down the oblique pegs 15. Afterward the post is placed over the shank and screwed down in place.

I thus provide a firm, stable,and cheap mooring for my braces and in general supply a neat, economical, strong, and very durable fencing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the sheet-metal post, of means for securing the lapping edges thereof, cross-bars 4 and 5, arranged with said post, one above the other, the fork having the threaded shank 11 to engage said cross-bars, the prongs 12 and 13 thereof, the horizontal portion 14, and the hook fasteningpegs 15 and 16, and means for securing the hooked ends thereof on the parts 14 of said fork, substantially as described.

'27 for securing thelower ends of said stay-rods,

and pegs 28 for securing said staples, and similar pegs for securing said fork, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of September, 1891. I-IIRAM A. HARRINGTON. In presence of HIRAM THORNTON, W. W. FITCH. 

